- IGP re-emphasizes collaboration, technological advancements
In response to the escalating cyber threats targeting the Banking and Financial sector, as well as unsuspecting members of the public falling victim to High-yield Investment Fraud (HYIF), the Nigeria Police Force – National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) recently convened a significant symposium.
According to ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer at Force Headquarters in Abuja, the primary objective of this gathering, which brought together Compliance and Fraud desk officers from banks across Nigeria, was to promote active collaboration and engagement in the ongoing fight against cybercrime.
Adejobi revealed that the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre swiftly initiated a well-coordinated, intelligence-driven operation, resulting in the apprehension of eight notorious cybercriminals. This operation took place from August 16th to 20th, 2023, in response to the emergence of a new cyber threat characterized by the creation of cloned banking websites facilitating high-yield investment scams and money laundering.
He further disclosed that the arrested suspects included Nwaonicha Emeka (aged 30), Osaretin Oghomwen (aged 27), Sunday Aniekan (aged 23), Devine Daniel (aged 19), Ibrahim Abdulaziz (aged 21), Daniel Breba Omamuke (aged 23), Muhammed Azimeye (aged 29), Aniwen Abraham (aged 23), Pasca Obinna (aged 27), and Godwin Chinaza (aged 26). All of them were male residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). They have admitted to their varying degrees of involvement in these criminal activities and will face charges in court upon the completion of the investigation.
Adejobi added that efforts are also underway to inform and support victims of these fraudulent schemes on a global scale. He stated that the fraudulent online platforms associated with these activities had been seized. Members of the global cyber community were strongly urged to remain vigilant and report any platforms promising unrealistically high returns on minimal investments or any other forms of cybercrime through the dedicated e-reporting portal at incb.npf.gov.ng.
The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, reaffirmed his commitment to making technological advancements a cornerstone of the fight against crime. He commended the Nigeria Police Force – National Cybercrime Centre’s efforts and encouraged its Director, DCP Uche Ifeanyi Henry, to enhance the Centre’s collaboration with other agencies while upholding fundamental human rights in the pursuit of reducing cybercrime and cyber-related crimes in the country to the lowest possible level.
